Stall holders can arrive at 3pm Saturday afternoon, with customers expected to be lining up at the showground gates as they open at 6am on Sunday.  

Steve Crain, who is on the swap meet committee, said the event is always really popular adding the good thing about the swap meet is it gives people an outlet for selling their old items and a place for people to come in search for something rare.

The Bathurst Swap Meet is hosted each year by the Bathurst Historic Car Club, over the years any money raised has been split between the running of the club and a different local charity every year.

However future donations, and even the future of the event itself, could be up in the air, as operation costs for the event spiral.

The logistics of traffic control, and erecting a man proof fence along Morse Park, mean the event will be lucky to break even, let alone raise any money for charity.

In the past five years, Mr Crain said the cost of holding the event has sky rocketed.

He said the club has to bring in traffic controllers and now, it also needs to erect a man proof fence along Morse Park, to stop people cutting across the road.

“What it means is money which was raised through the event and donated to charities is now basically being used for traffic control and fencing.”

“It just seems pointless to me.

“Half the income we make goes towards paying for the fence, rather then helping charities.

“It just seems pointless.”

Mr Crain said he is aware of two or three events a year where no fence was erected, including the recent long track championships, and believes pedestrian safety at the swap meet wouldn’t be compromised without the fence.

When contacted by the Western Advocate about the fencing Bathurst Region Council said the fencing requirements are decided by the traffic committee (made up of community members) and it's based on the size of the event for pedestrian safety.

Mr Crain said he will raise the issue again with council for next year’s event.